Since work began on the construction phase of the Trams to Newhaven project in Edinburgh much of the progress we have featured has been concentrated on the preparation for and the actual installation of tracks. But recently, in addition to this, work has also commenced on the construction of two new substations.
The extension will require two new substations and these will be located at North Leith Sands and on Leith Walk on part of the site of the former Leith Tram Depot. Work is more advanced at the first of these sites where the base has already been put into place while on Leith Walk cable ducts have started to be installed to take the wires between the substation and Leith Walk.
This is the base of the substation which will be constructed at North Leith Sands.
The second substation will be built on part of the old Leith Tram Depot site which was demolished a few years ago. With the old tramway offices still in situ on the left work has commenced on the right. This will be for cable ducts which will lead from Leith Walk to the new substation which will be built to the left of the tall white building.
Here we see the part concreted-in new plastic cable ducts at the side of the old offices.
The work has exposed an old brick build cable duct probably built for the first generation of trams and a section of old tramrail to its right. (All Photographs by John Hampton)